Imagined Bill of Universal Rights and Responsibilities excerpt from Hope, A History of the Future

Universal Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities 2042

“We the People in Order to Form a More Perfect Union, Establish Justice, Ensure Tranquility, Protect the Earth, and Promote the General Welfare, by Securing the blessings of Life and Liberty for Ourselves, our Children, and Our Children’s Children for all time to come, do Ordain and establish this Universal Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. Recognition of the inherent dignity and rights of all life is the foundation of Freedom, Justice, and Peace in the world.

Disregard and Contempt for Human Rights and the Environment have resulted in barbarous acts, which have outraged the consciousness of Humankind and brought Life on Earth to the brink of destruction. We are committed to the Advent of a world in which all beings shall enjoy Freedom from Fear and Want and the Preservation and Restoration of the Natural World. The Principles of Equality, Respect for all beings and Compassion are our guiding principles. We have determined to Promote Social Progress and Restore the Earth by providing Protection for Rights through Non-Violent Action and the Rule of Law.

Article 1: All persons are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and must act towards one another in a spirit of kindness and compassion.

Article 2: Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which that person once belonged.

Article 3: All persons have the right to life, liberty and security of person. No one shall be held in slavery or servitude. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

Article 4  Everyone has the right to recognition as a person before the law. All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All laws are to be written and disseminated in such a fashion that the common person is able to comprehend their meaning without need of interpretation or legal aid.

Article 5  Those in public office are to be held to the highest standards of truth. They must renounce all payments, goods or services offered that might influence the performance of their duty. Public officials must take a vow of austerity so they can serve in sympathy with those that have the least among us. Any public official or servant found guilty of accepting money, gifts, or lying to the public will be tried by a jury in a court of law and if found guilty shall immediately be removed from office and barred from further public service.

Article 6 Henceforth, The Waters, The Sky, Plants, Animals, and the Earth itself shall have Legal Recognition, Protection and Rights before the Law including the Right to Legal Representation in Courts, and Representation by Proxy in the Governance of the planet.

Article 7 Everyone has the right to manifest their religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance so long as its practice does not impinge on the Universal Rights of others. The government shall not support nor oppress any religion.

Article 8 No one shall be to arbitrary interference with their privacy, family, home or correspondence. All have a responsibility to respect one another’s privacy–––– No person, company or government agency shall sell or provide information to any third party without the fully informed consent of the person whose information is being shared.

Article 9 Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by a competent tribunal for acts violating their fundamental rights granted here. No one is above the law but neither should anyone be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile. Everyone is entitled to full equality and to a fair and public hearing  by an impartial jury in the determination of their rights and obligations and to the nature of any criminal charge against them.

Anyone charged with an offense has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a public trial at which they have the guarantees necessary for their defense. Those charged or found guilty shall be treated with respect and dignity while making reparations to those whose rights they have violated.

Article 10 No entity private or public shall levy usury fees. Public funds shall be made available to all for the acquisition of housing, businesses, and other large expenses. Free access to education at all levels is a right of the people.

Article 11 Everyone has the right to free speech, freedom of opinion and expression, and a free press. This right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas, including full and free access to all current and future communication forms. However, it is everyone’s responsibility to be truthful in the dissemination of information and to adhere to the guiding principle of non-violence in speech as well as action.

Article 12 The Will of the People shall be the basis of the authority of the government, this Will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be universal and equal through free voting procedures. Voting is a Responsibility of All People and a Mandatory requirement in Self Governance. No individual right to vote shall be removed for any reason. No one of the voting age of sixteen shall be denied the right to vote.

Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the WORLD proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES as the common standard of achievement for all communities. Thus keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, we shall strive through education and Non-violent Action to promote their universal and effective recognition and observance.